Ahead of One FC 15, Eduard Folayang Strives to Become Manny Pacquiao of MMA

Eduard Folayang aims high in One Fighting Championship. | Photo
Courtesy: One FC

Known around Southeast Asia as the Pinoy MMA counterpart to boxing
superstar Manny Pacquiao,
One Fighting Championship’s Eduard
Folayang wants to be the next reason the world turns its eyes
to Filipino combat sports.

“Manny is a great influence and encouragement,” Folayang said. “He
is one of our modern-day heroes, and I pray we, too, will be able
to put the Philippines on the global map in the field of MMA.”

Following Pacquiao’s recent win over Timothy Bradley, Folayang
figures to be as motivated as ever to bring glory to his homeland
when he stands across from Kotetsu Boku
at One
FC 15 “Rise of Heroes” on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
in Manila, Philippines.

Born and raised in Baguio City, Philippines, Folayang began
training in wushu under Tony Candelaria at the age of 16. Together
with Mark
Sangiao, he achieved international acclaim in that discipline,
winning multiple medals in international competition. During that
time, Folayang actually held a position as a high school English
and physical education teacher in Mountain Province; however, when
he joined the Lakay MMA camp, he decided to take up fighting on a
full-time basis.

“Head Coach Mark
Sangiao and I have known each other for a long time,” Folayang
said. “When he moved to MMA, he introduced the sport to most of us
here at Team Lakay. He is like an elder brother to us so we trusted
his judgment, and it was the right choice.”

Although wushu is primarily a standup art, Folayang believes it has
something to contribute to the entire MMA skill set. This belief is
backed up by the fact that he has yet to be submitted in
professional competition.

“It has worked out that I have not been submitted yet, but I am not
resting on my laurels,” he said. “I am working in everything, from
wrestling to grappling, to supplement my wushu skills, which are
useful in striking. Wushu is effective in striking and also in
teaching you balance and takedown defense, so I have mixed in
offensive wrestling and submissions to be well-rounded.”

While his world-class wushu has helped him to earn five victories
by knockout or technical knockout, Folayang also has two wins by
submission and six by unanimous decision, which gives some insight
into the quality and level of his conditioning.

“I attribute that back to the intensive physical training we do in
Baguio, which is about 1,540 meters above sea level,” he said. “I
think it helps when I compete to be training in altitude.”

Folayang was offered a One FC title shot in December 2012 but was
forced to decline the opportunity due to a commitment to fight for
the Universal Reality Combat Championship organization. His
eventual replacement was Boku, who went on to defeat Zorobabel
Moreira for the One FC lightweight strap. Though his next
appearance for One FC resulted in a decision loss to
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Kamal
Shalorus, Folayang bounced back with a unanimous decision over
Dutch submission specialist Vincent
Latoel at One FC 13 in December.

“I think my toughest fight was against Kamal
Shalorus,” Folayang said. “He brings so much experience and is
a decorated wrestler. I realized through that experience how much I
need to improve in my grappling. It doesn’t matter how good I am in
other areas; if my opponent has one area significantly better than
me, then I will be defeated. I would like to face him again, as I
think my wrestling has improved significantly since then.”

Folayang still has his sights set on the One FC lightweight crown,
which is currently held by Japanese submission ace Shinya
Aoki.

“I want to fight for the title and hope I get the opportunity,” he
said. “I have faith in the matchmakers of One FC that they will
give me that opportunity, once I have proven to them I deserve
it.”

Folayang plans to prove his worthiness with a win over Boku, a
former One FC and Shooto
champion.

“In my opinion, Boku is an experienced fighter who knows how to
gamble his punches,” he said. “I believe the fight will be finished
with my hand raised.”

If he can get past Boku, Folayang hopes to be considered for a
title shot once again.

“It will be a huge honor if I can enter the cage to face Aoki,” he
said. “He is one of the best in the world and a legend in Japan, so
I will be grateful if I get to test myself against him.”